BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:50@morayartcentre.org DTSTART:20230408T100000Z DTEND:20230430T160000Z DTSTAMP:20240528T193010Z URL:https://morayartcentre.org/events/a-chip-of-the-old-pop/ SUMMARY:A Chip off the Old Pop DESCRIPTION:Moray Art Centre is proud to present the best of highland pop a rt!\nPop surrealist\, Michael Forbes\, and pop portrait painter\, Leah Dav is\, join forces to bring an eccentric exhibition filled with energetic co lours\, and quirky concepts that celebrate expressing your authentic self. \n\n \;\n\n\n\n \;\n\n\n\n \;\nABOUT THE ARTISTS\n \;\nMic hael Forbes\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Forbes is an almost entirely self-taught Pop Surrealist artist\, who lives in an isolated area in the north of the Scottish Highlands. He worked as an assistant to Pop artist Gerald Laing i n his youth\, from whom he “learned more from than any art school educat ion could provide.” Michael’s paintings are an extraordinary visual r ecord of his thoughts and dreams\, often journeying into the subconscious. His work shows a magical and playful\, dream-like world laced with humour and pop culture.\n​Michael can count a number of celebrities as fans of his work\, including Ricky Gervais and Terry Gilliam who are both collect ors. Michael was selected to paint the Millennium poster for the London Un derground\, which is on show at the Museum of London Transport. He was als o selected to represent the future of animal painting in the 2007 Blue Cro ss exhibition ''Animals in Art'' opened by the Queen. This show allowed Fo rbes to exhibit with every major British artist from Gainsborough to Hockn ey at Sotheby's. \nHe has shown alongside all the major Pop artists\, inc luding Warhol\, Lichtenstein and Indiana at the Opera Gallery exhibition ' 'In the Mood for Pop'' on New Bond Street London. His work is currently on show in New York at Pop Gallery in Manhattan\, where he regularly exhibit s with artists better known for their music\, such as Ringo Starr\, Ronnie Wood and most recently Bob Dylan. Last year he was the first artist to ha ve a private exhibition of his work at The Club at the Ivy in London\, tak ing over the entire top floor\, in an exhibition curated and organized by Terry Gilliam’s daughter Holly.\n\n \;\nLeah Davis\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLeah Davis was born and raised in Thurso\, Caithness\, and now lives in Lossie mouth\, Moray. She calls her work Pop portraiture as she works in traditi onal portraiture and takes inspiration from Pop art\, Pop Surrealism and P op culture.\nLeah has recently graduated from Gray’s School of Art with a Master’s degree with Merit in Fine Art. This is her first body of work since graduating and comprises a series of never-before-seen oil painting s\, which will be unveiled at the opening event on the 8th of April. She e xhibited a number of times during her student years\, including KEEP Conte mporary Gallery in Santa Fe\, and a solo show at Upstairs Gallery\, Invern ess.\nShe describes her work as an empowering adventure - a bold and colou rful mixed media autobiography that illustrates her journey from misunders tood small-town girl to finding her authentic self. She explains that she is here to empower others on their own journey of self-discovery. \nHere ’s what Leah had to say about the show: \n\n\n“It's an honour to exhi bit alongside Michael\, as he is not only one of my favourite artists but the biggest anarchist I know. On top of that\, exhibiting in a gallery tha t has previously showcased the work of the legendary artist\, John Byrne\, is just incredible. Thanks to Moray Art centre for this wonderful opportu nity.\n\nPreviously\, my work has explored my thoughts\, dreams and life e xperiences. However\, I have recently felt the pull in a new direction. Th is body of work explores those who have accompanied me on my crazy life jo urney. I have been affectionately exploring our relationships and their in dividual personas. I'm interested to see how our relationship may change w hen they become my model\, and how they may also see themselves differentl y once their image is the focus. I can't wait for you to see it!”\nLeah Davis is a member of the Society of Caithness Artists\, one of the oldest art societies in Scotland which can trace its origins back over ninety yea rs. Chair of the Society\, Ian Pearson explained: "Leah is a regular exhib itor at our annual shows and her unique style expressed through her work w hich acknowledges her Caithness influences\, has found favour with visitor s throughout the years". Ian continues by saying: "The Society currently h as nearly one hundred members\, both amateur and professional of all abili ties using a wide range of media. Ian concludes by commenting\; the Societ y has witnessed several artists throughout its history develop their artis tic careers to be recognised on the World stage and Leah is definitely one of them. The Society recognises the talent possessed by Leah and wishes h er well for the future".\nYou can follow Leah on Instagram: @leahdavisarti st\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPress:\n\n https://www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/pi ck-of-the-pops-309481/ \n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://morayartcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/20 23/12/Screenshot-2024-05-28-at-20.26.40.png CATEGORIES:Exhibitions LOCATION:Moray Art Centre\, Field of Dreams\, Findhorn\, Forres\, Moray\, I V36 3TA\, Scotland\, United Kingdom GEO:57.653616;-3.590018 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Field of Dreams\, Findhorn\ , Forres\, Moray\, IV36 3TA\, Scotland\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100 ;X-TITLE=Moray Art Centre:geo:57.653616,-3.590018 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR